Vitamin A&D is necessary for normal bodily function. Vitamin A is important for the proper formation of bones and teeth and is essential for healthy eyes. Vitamin D is required for the body to regulate the absorption and utilization of Calcium. Together Vitamin A&D protect against muscle weakness and improve bone density. All of GSL products contain no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives, making your choice a healthy one every day.

Essential For Healthy Eyes

Helps Bone and Teeth Form

Regulates Calcium Absorption

SUGGESTED USAGETake one tablet 1-2 times daily with a full glass of water, preferably after a meal.

Caution: This product can be a choking hazard. Keep out of reach of children. If you are taking medication, pregnant or nursing, consult your health professional.

What does Vitamin A do?Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin with four major functions in the body: First, it helps cells reproduce normally--a process called differentiation. Cells that have not properly differentiated are more likely to undergo pre-cancerous changes. Second, it is required for healthy vision; vitamin A maintains healthy cells in various structures of the eye and is required for the transduction of light into nerve signals in the retina. Third, it is required for normal growth and development of the embryo and fetus, influencing genes that determine the sequential development of organs in embryonic development. Forth, it may be required for normal reproductive function, with influences on the function and development of sperm, ovaries and placenta.

Where is Vitamin A found?Liver, dairy products and cod liver oil are all good sources of vitamin A. Vitamin A is also available in supplement form.

Who is likely to be Vitamin A deficient?People who limit their consumption of liver, dairy foods, and beta-carotene-containing vegetables can develop a vitamin A deficiency. Extremely low birth weight babies (2.2 pounds or less) are at high risk of being born with a deficiency, and vitamin A shots given to these infants have been reported in double-blind research to reduce the risk of lung disease. The earliest deficiency sign is poor night vision. Deficiency symptoms can also include dry skin, increased risk of infections, and metaplasia (a precancerous condition). Severe deficiencies causing blindness are extremely rare in Western societies.

How much Vitamin A is usually taken?For most people, up to 25,000 IU (7,500 mcg) of vitamin A per day is considered safe. However, people over age 65 and those with liver disease should probably not supplement their diet with more than 15,000 IU per day, unless directed and supervised by a doctor. In women who wish to become pregnant, the maximum safe intake is being re-evaluated. However, less than 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day is generally accepted as safe. There is concern that larger intakes could cause birth defects.

Are there any side effects or interactions to Vitamin A?Since a 1995 report from the New England Journal of Medicine, women who are or could become pregnant have been told by doctors to take less than 10,000 IU (3,000 mcg) per day of vitamin A to avoid the risk of birth defects. A recent report studied several hundred women exposed to 10,000-300,000 IU (median exposure of 50,000 IU) per day. Three major malformations occurred in this study, but all could have happened in the absence of vitamin A supplementation. Surprisingly, no congenital malformations happened in any of the 120 infants exposed to maternal intakes of vitamin A that exceeded 50,000 IU per day. In fact, the high-exposure group had a 50% decreased risk for malformations compared with infants not exposed to vitamin A. The authors noted that some previous studies found no link between vitamin A and birth defects, and argued the studies that did find such a link suffered from various weaknesses. A closer look at the recent study reveals a 32% higher than expected risk of birth defects in infants exposed to 10,000-40,000 IU of vitamin A per day, but paradoxically a 37% decreased risk for those exposed to even higher levels. This suggests that both "higher" and "lower" risks may have been due to chance.

Excessive dietary intake of vitamin A has been associated with birth defects in humans in fewer than 20 reported cases over the past 30 years. Presently, the level at which vitamin A supplementation may cause birth defects is not known, though combined human and animal data suggest that 30,000 IU per day should be considered safe. Women who are or who could become pregnant should consult with a doctor before supplementing with more than 10,000 IU per day.

Taking vitamin A and iron together seems to help overcome iron deficiency more effectively than iron supplementation alone. Supplementation with zinc, iron, or a combination has been found to improve vitamin A status among children at high risk for deficiency of the three nutrients.

What does Vitamin D do?Vitamin D’s most important role is maintaining blood levels of calcium, which it accomplishes by increasing absorption of calcium from food and reducing urinary calcium loss. Both effects keep calcium in the body and therefore spare the calcium that is stored in bones. When necessary, vitamin D transfers calcium from the bone into the bloodstream, which does not benefit bones. Although the overall effect of vitamin D on the bones is complicated, some vitamin D is necessary for healthy bones and teeth.

Vitamin D plays a role in immunity and blood cell formation and also helps cells "differentiate"-a process that may reduce the risk of cancer. From animal and human studies, researchers have hypothesized that vitamin D may protect people from multiple sclerosis, autoimmune arthritis, and juvenile diabetes. Vitamin D is also needed for adequate blood levels of insulin. Vitamin D receptors have been found in the pancreas where insulin is made, and preliminary evidence suggests that supplementation may increase insulin secretion for some people with adult-onset diabetes.

Where is Vitamin D found?Cod liver oil is an excellent dietary source of vitamin D, as are vitamin D-fortified foods and vitamin D supplements. Traces of vitamin D are found in egg yolks and butter. However, the majority of vitamin D in the body is created during a chemical reaction that starts with sunlight exposure to the skin.

Who is likely to be Vitamin D deficient?In adults, vitamin D deficiency may result in a softening of the bones known as osteomalcia. This condition is treated with vitamin D, sometimes in combination with calcium supplements. Osteomalacia should be diagnosed, and its treatment monitored, by a doctor. In people of any age, vitamin D deficiency causes abnormal bone formation. It occurs more commonly following winter, owing to restricted sunlight exposure during that season.

Vitamin D deficiency is more common in strict vegetarians (who avoid vitamin D-fortified dairy foods), alcoholics, and people with liver or kidney disease; people with liver and kidney disease can make vitamin D but cannot activate it. Vitamin D deficiency is more common in people suffering from intestinal malabsorption, which may have occurred following previous intestinal surgeries. People with insufficient pancreatic function (e.g., those with pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis) tend to be deficient in vitamin D.

In children, vitamin D deficiency is called rickets and causes a bowing of bones not seen in adults with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D deficiency is common among people with hyperparathyroidism, a condition in which the parathyroid gland is overactive. Vitamin D deficiency is also common in men with advanced prostate cancer. One in seven adults has been reported to be deficient in vitamin D. In one study, 42% of hospitalized patients under age 65 were reported to be vitamin D deficient. In this same study, 37% of the people were found to be deficient in vitamin D, despite the fact they were eating the currently recommended amount of this nutrient. Vitamin D deficiency is particularly common among the elderly. Age-related decline in vitamin D status may be due to reduced absorption, transport, or liver metabolism of vitamin D.

How much Vitamin D is usually taken?People who get plenty of sun exposure do not require supplemental vitamin D, since sunlight increases vitamin D synthesis when it strikes bare skin. Although the recommended dietary allowance for vitamin D is 200 IU per day for adults, there is some evidence that elderly people need 800 to 1,000 IU per day for maximum effects on preserving bone density and preventing fractures. It is believed that sun-deprived people should take no less than 600 IU per day and ideally around 1,000 IU per day.

Are there any side effects or interactions?People with hyperparathyroidism should not take vitamin D without consulting a physician. People with sarcoidosis should not supplement with vitamin D, unless a doctor has determined that their calcium levels are not elevated. Too much vitamin D taken for long periods of time may lead to headaches, weight loss, and kidney stones. Rarely, excessive vitamin D may even lead to deafness, blindness, increased thirst, increased urination, diarrhea, irritability, children’s failure to gain weight, or death.

Most people take 400 IU per day, a safe amount for adults. Some researchers believe that amounts up to 10,000 IU per day are safe for the average healthy adult, although adverse effects may occur even at lower levels among people with hypersensitivity to vitamin D (e.g. hyperparathyroidism). In fact, of all published cases of vitamin D toxicity for which a vitamin D amount is known, only one occurred at a level of intake under 40,000 IU per day.18 Nevertheless, people wishing to take more than 1,000 IU per day for long periods of time should consult a physician. People should remember the total daily intake of vitamin D includes vitamin D from fortified milk and other fortified foods, cod liver oil, supplements that contain vitamin D, and sunlight. People who receive adequate sunlight exposure do not need as much vitamin D in their diet as do people who receive minimal sunlight exposure.

GUARANTEE/ SHIPPING INFORMATIONVitamin A & D - is shipped in a discrete, unmarked package. Orders are processed immediately and usually take about 3 to 5 working days to be received. We do ask that you try it for 2 to 3 weeks to feel the full effects. Any information received is used only for order processing and shipping purposes. Your information, such as e-mail address, will never be disclosed to a third party.

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